Tom Brady, Philip Rivers set for showdown at Gillette

Credit: Patrick Whittemore

HOP TO IT: Tom Brady and backup quarterback Brian Hoyer run through a drill during practice yesterday in Foxboro.

FOXBORO — The number stands up by itself. No need to add hyperbole.

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Tom Brady threw for 517 yards against the Miami Dolphins Monday night, setting a franchise record and putting the entire league on notice.

Among his most ardent admirers that night was a quarterback who knows a little about being productive. San Diego’s Philip Rivers viewed not only the yardage total as “unbelievable,” but also how Brady accumulated it. Precise throws into tight coverage against one of the league’s toughest units.

The respect was evident.

“He was in full control obviously, like he is many games,” Rivers said yesterday. “It was fun to watch.”

On Sunday, in the much-anticipated showdown between the perennial playoff contenders led by two quarterbacks who have gone to a combined nine Pro Bowls, Rivers may not find it so fun. The Patriots defense, which allowed Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne to throw for 416 yards, has its own challenges with Rivers. Ho hum, he’s only last year’s leading passer.

In other words, don’t be surprised if a shootout breaks out at 4:15 p.m. at Gillette Stadium. Those in attendance may not follow Brady’s advice to “start drinking early” and make some noise. But given the high-flying nature of what they may witness, they may feel like they’re drunk.

Rivers called Brady “as good as it gets,” while Brady noted, “I’ve long admired him from a distance.”

Rivers passed for 4,710 yards last year in Norv Turner’s offense. Brady was the MVP, throwing 36 touchdowns and just four picks. The fact that Brady torched the Dolphins only slightly overshadowed Rivers’ comeback in the Chargers opener by tossing for 335.

For his work, Brady was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week, which he didn’t celebrate.

“My goals are much bigger than AFC Offensive Player of the Week around here,” Brady quipped.

As for Rivers, Bill Belichick worked with him at the Pro Bowl five years ago and came away believing his interest in talking football reminded him of Brady. His skills do, too.

Brady and Rivers are different. Brady is the fundamental offensive machine, cool and calm while engineering a fast-break attack. Rivers is quirky and unorthodox with what Pats defensive end Shaun Ellis referred to as a “parking lot” throwing style. He thrives firing the ball downfield.

“It’s very disconcerting,” Belichick said, “because you know (Turner’s) after an area where you’re vulnerable.”

Brady’s performances against the Chargers in the past have been up and down. He’s 2-0 in the playoffs, but he threw three picks in each game. His 3-2 regular-season record includes last year’s total of just 159 passing yards during a game the Chargers gave away.

All of which makes one wonder if Brady will boast the same aerial attack on Sunday as he did Monday.

“It was our fewest production all season when we played them,” Brady said of last year’s game. “We had like 200 yards of offense, didn’t do really well in the red area, didn’t really run it great, certainly didn’t throw it great, didn’t protect as well as we’re capable. Hopefully we can execute better.”

To focus on slowing down the vaunted offense and preventing a shootout, Turner has done his research. He’s looked back at plans used by the Lions in the preseason and the Ravens and Jets.

“When you have a quarterback who plays at the level that Tom Brady is,” Turner said, “(if) you can’t pressure him and disrupt him a little bit, you’re going to be in for a long day.”

Brady tried to shut out the praise he received nationally with a focus on Sunday.

“You don’t listen to TV copy and listen to everyone tell you how good you think you are and same thing for when you lose, how much you (stink),” Brady said. “You try to move on.”